Unexpected Alliance: How Trump’s Labor Pick Won Over Both Sides

Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary with overwhelming bipartisan support, completing Trump’s Cabinet formation in record time.

Quick Takes

Lori Chavez-DeRemer secured confirmation with a strong 67-32 vote, including support from 17 Senate Democrats.
Her confirmation marks the completion of Trump’s second-term Cabinet, with all 21 nominees confirmed within just seven weeks of Inauguration Day.
The former Oregon congresswoman has received backing from both employers and labor unions, including a recommendation from Teamsters President Sean O’Brien.
Despite some Republican opposition to her union-friendly positions, Chavez-DeRemer has pledged to prioritize American workers with good-paying jobs and safe working conditions.

Bipartisan Support Signals New Direction for Labor Department

Former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer received robust bipartisan approval to become America’s next Labor Secretary with a 67-32 vote in the Senate. The confirmation makes her the head of a department with nearly 16,000 employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation is particularly notable as she garnered support from 17 Senate Democrats, signaling potential for cross-party cooperation on labor issues during President Trump’s second term in office.

Chavez-DeRemer brings a unique perspective to the role with her background as a small business owner and former Republican representative of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. Her moderate stance on various issues helped secure broad support from both sides of the aisle. This appointment represents a strategic move by the Trump administration to build bridges with organized labor groups that have traditionally aligned with Democrats, potentially reshaping political alliances around worker issues.

✅ I’m deeply honored to be confirmed as the 30th @USDOL Secretary under President @realDonaldTrump.

As promised, I’ll work tirelessly to put American Workers First by fighting for good-paying jobs, safe working conditions, and secure retirement benefits.

Let's get to work 💪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/epDdruYXf9

— Lori Chavez-DeRemer (@LChavezDeRemer) March 10, 2025

Labor Secretary Pledges to Put American Workers First

Following her confirmation, Chavez-DeRemer wasted no time outlining her priorities for the Labor Department. Her focus on American workers echoes key campaign promises made by President Trump during his successful 2024 presidential run. During her confirmation hearings, she addressed concerns about the federal minimum wage, which has remained unchanged since 2009, while cautioning against economic disruption that could harm small businesses and workers. She also expressed support for state “right to work” laws while maintaining her commitment to worker protections.

Not all lawmakers supported her nomination. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, voted against her confirmation. Some Republicans also opposed her nomination, including Senators Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Ted Budd, largely due to her past union-friendly positions, including her previous support for the PRO Act, which facilitates union organizing.

Trump Completes Cabinet Formation in Record Time

Chavez-DeRemer’s confirmation marks a significant administrative milestone for the Trump presidency, completing his second-term Cabinet formation process in just seven weeks after Inauguration Day. This efficient confirmation timeline demonstrates the administration’s effectiveness in navigating the Senate confirmation process, despite Democratic control of the White House during the transition period. The rapid Cabinet formation positions the administration to quickly implement its policy agenda across all federal departments.

The Trump 2.0 Cabinet features notable figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who received unanimous bipartisan support with a 99-0 confirmation vote, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Some confirmations faced stronger opposition, with Vice President JD Vance casting a tie-breaking vote for Hegseth’s confirmation. The administration has also secured confirmation for key non-Cabinet positions, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.